Emergencies Happen – Do You Have an Emergency Kit?

At a time when English bulldogs were plagued with issues, Tuffy was a male with great disposition and great looks, and he could breathe easily without snorting or choking. He was a beautiful dog. After two litters, it was clear Tuffy had the right genetics for producing quality puppies.

One Saturday afternoon in May, Tuffy was let out in the yard. A bee was bugging him, so he snapped it. Within minutes he started breathing funny and soon he was down. The breeders had nothing in their medications to treat an allergic reaction. Before the veterinarian was able to get across town to treat him, he died.

It’s a fact of life: dogs can get into trouble, and many negative reactions can be life-threatening. However, if you’re prepared, the solution to most problems is only a few steps away. An emergency kit is important when a crisis occurs.

Here are a few essentials to include in an emergency kit:

Antihistamines can be used for a variety of problems, including vaccine reactions, treating the “lethargic” post-vaccine feeling and bee sting reactions. Antihistamines are good for solving reaction problems quickly and effectively. The minimum you need is Benadryl (diphenhydramine) liquid at 1 mg/lb - it's a high dose that you can repeat in 30 minutes if needed. Injectable antihistamines of any type are faster and more effective. With the injection, you can be assured that the drug is in the dog, it begins working almost immediately. Epinephrine is the drug of choice in life threatening reactions and must be given by a veterinarian.

Antibiotics are ideal for diarrhea and respiratory issues. It never fails – you come home from a Friday night game or Saturday evening dinner, and a litter has a problem. With the right antibiotics, kennels can usually have the issue resolved before the veterinary clinic opens the next day.

Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim helps with coccidia and is good for diarrhea and other gastrointestinal bugs. It can also be used for respiratory issues. Sulfa-Trimeth only needs to be given once a day, which makes medicating easier. The dose is 25 mg/pound. Give twice the first day to load the antibiotic, then you can give daily until it's resolved.

If puppies are still nursing, use Amoxicillin/Clavamox until they are over 4 weeks old, as the kidneys and liver are not developed enough to get rid of drugs.

Electrolytes in water treat a number of dog needs. In litters with diarrhea, the puppies need electrolytes to keep them from dehydrating. Puppies probably won’t die from the virus or bacteria, but they can die from the resulting dehydration. Electrolytes also have enough sugar to keep from becoming hypoglycemic. They are also helpful for "slow to wean" puppies, helping with the stress of weaning. Most electrolytes will work, and they’re inexpensive and easy to use. Electramine powder or Rebound OES are both good choices.

Long-acting Penicillin is helpful for treating minor cuts. If adult dogs have minor cuts or punctures from a fight or injury, they usually don’t need a daily antibiotic. Injectable penicillin is helpful, lasting from 3-5 days per injection. Be sure it is long-acting, as other penicillins have to be given twice a day. It’s also helpful to use long-lasting penicillin with Oxytocin after whelping to clean up the bitch and get her back on food.

Vetericyn is excellent for cleaning wounds and as topical treatments. It can also be used to disinfect umbilical cords on newborns since iodine can be difficult to find.

Wraps & Bandages are essential for bleeding cuts. Use the wraps that stick only to themselves and not to the dog’s skin, like Co-flex bandages. Don’t apply too tightly. You should be able to fit a finger under easily. You will also need gauze to put on the wound – 2 x 2" pads for smaller breeds and 4x4" pads for larger breeds. To keep bandages clean and accessible, keep them in Ziploc bags.

Tissue Adhesives like VetBond are helpful for cut ears, dewclaws, tail docks and any place you need to hold a wound together. Apply a tourniquet with a hemostat and rubber band to stop bleeding, dry the tissue with gauze and apply the tissue glue in small amounts. Give it a few seconds and remove the tourniquet.

Suture/Needle Combos are great for tying off arteries and umbilicals, or stitching a gaping wound. Talk to your veterinarian to check your skill level and learn how to use them.

Instruments can be endless, but the minimum you should have on hand includes two hemostats and a bandage scissors. Hemostats can be used to clamp a bleeding artery or remove dewclaws, while the bandage scissors safely fits under wraps and other materials without cutting the skin.

Terramycin or Vetericyn eye solutions are helpful for treating eye injuries. First flush the eye with saline, then apply either one. Terramycin is good for minor infections and also for preventing irritation during baths.

Essential General Items:

Exam Gloves should be used to protect your hands during cleaning, repro exams or delivery.

Clotisol is used to stop bleeding in minor cuts or nail trim bleeding.

Syringes/Needles: are a must in an emergency situation. Smaller (20 or 22) gauge needles are great for giving penicillin or injectable antibiotics, while larger syringes are helpful for dosing fluids, electrolytes or oral medications.

All these items will fit into a small tool box or tote. With the right preparation, you can be ready to solve the next emergency before it becomes life-threatening!

The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of a qualified veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical
attention.